Jeff Davis Parish to get millions from settlement of lawsuits

JENNINGS — The settlement of lawsuits filed more than a decade ago in Baton Rouge means an estimated $2.15 million will soon
become available to Jefferson Davis Parish taxing bodies, said Tax Assessor Donald Kratzer.

At issue in the lawsuits was how to determine a value on the oil and gas pipelines that cross the state, Kratzer said Tuesday
in a news release.

Three pipeline companies — ANR Pipeline
Co., Southern Natural Gas Co. and Tennessee Gas Co. — filed a series of
suits against
the Louisiana Tax Commission and assessors, challenging the way
their property was valued and claiming they were being overcharged,
he said.

The tax bills were paid under protest and held in escrow until settlement. The suits have held up the distribution of the
money since 1994.

Texas-based Kinder Morgan, which recently acquired the three pipeline companies, sought the settlement, Kratzer said. “After
the purchase of the pipelines by Kinder Morgan the case took a turn in the right direction,” Kratzer said.

“Kinder Morgan expressed a strong desire to operate as a good corporate citizen and to bring these lawsuits to a mutually
acceptable conclusion.”

He said Kinder Morgan “made the process of settling this so efficient that it has been truly remarkable that all the lengthy
legal battles we endured were simply handled within days, not years. They deserve to be commended for their commitment and
efforts.”

Sheriff Ivy Woods, who is also the parish’s tax collector, can now distribute the money to the proper taxing bodies, Kratzer
said.